Contagious Conversations

50. Behind the Plate: Keeping Our Food Safe Apr 3, 2025 22:19 It's easy to take for granted that the food we eat and the water we drink is safe and healthy. Several recent high-profile outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, however, are a reminder of how critical food safety is. CDC estimates that nearly 48 million Americans contract a foodborne illness each year. Of those, 128,000 people are hospitalized annually, and 3,000 people die. So, who is tasked wit

49. On the Case with a Disease Detective Dec 16, 2024 22:59 Your first day at any new job is always a little stressful. But for Julia Petras, the day she started working at CDC was especially high stakes. In this episode of Contagious Conversations, we explore a mysterious outbreak that affected four patients in four months, sickened by a bacteria not seen before in North America. The FBI—and the public—wanted answers. We hear from CDC's Julia Petras, Dr

48. The Costs of Getting Sick Aug 28, 2024 20:20 Have you ever asked yourself what routine auto repairs can teach us about how we think of our investment in public health? Listen in on our latest Contagious Conversations podcast as host Claire Stinson uncovers the answers and details how quick action quashed a recent outbreak of an illness long considered to be eliminated in the United States. In this episode, "The Costs of Getting Sick," we e

47. A Look Back at 2023's Most Contagious Conversations Dec 1, 2023 11:23 Host Claire Stinson welcomes you to a special year-end episode of Contagious Conversations focused on highlights from the 2023 season! Listen to selections from the year's episodes on topics as diverse as heath threats facing Black women; training the next generation of public health professionals; and the respiratory triple threat posed by COVID-19, influenza and RSV. Highlights featured includ

46. Hypertension: Handling the Pressure Nov 3, 2023 34:17 Doctors have long known that hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Yet today, nearly half of all adults in the United States have hypertension, creating a silent public health threat. Host Dr. Judy Monroe is joined by Dr. Jerome Adams and Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel. Dr. Adams is a former U.S. Surgeon General of the United States and now serves as the 

45. Reducing Stress in Schools Oct 6, 2023 22:57 Each year, fall means heading back to school for the nation's students. But as students, teachers and school staff return again this year, the social, academic and mental health impacts of the pandemic are still being felt. In this episode, host Claire Stinson speaks with Heather Martel-Balfour about the mental health challenges faced by students and teachers in today's educational environment, an

44. A Conversation with CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen Sep 8, 2023 27:59 We're bringing you a special episode this month, as our president and CEO sits down for a conversation with Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Administrator. Dr. Cohen has extensive experience leading large and complex organizations and a proven track record protecting Americans'

43. The Eye of the Storm Aug 4, 2023 18:57 In 2022, a mysterious outbreak of a deadly drug-resistant bacteria began spreading across several U.S. states. A CDC investigation would eventually reveal an unusual culprit: common eye drops. In this episode, Dr. Danielle Rankin takes us behind the scenes of the investigation, sharing how they made their big break and what we've learned as a result. Dr. Rankin is an epidemiologist for the Antimic

42. Serving Those Who Served Jul 7, 2023 26:46 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death for Americans overall. And sadly, our nation's veterans face even higher rates of suicide. In this month's episode, we discuss the crisis of veteran suicide and the community-based preventative approaches being taken today. Joining us in this conversation is Nicola Winkel, project director f

41. Prevention vs. Prescription: The Question About Opioids Jun 2, 2023 23:57 Physicians face many challenges in treating people living with pain, especially in light of the U.S. opioid overdose epidemic. In today's episode, we speak with Dr. Chris Jones on how physicians are handling these challenges, and the steps CDC is taking at a community level to help address the issue. Dr. Chris Jones is Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Center

40. Tomorrow's Public Health Professionals May 5, 2023 29:55 As we emerge from the COVID public health emergency, it is a critical time to think about the future of public health. The next generation of public health workers will be charged with leading through the challenges that lie ahead. In this episode, we speak with Anna Heilers and Dr. Antoine Denis, two public health students who are preparing to meet these public health challenges of tomorrow. Anna

39. Improving Black Women's Health Apr 7, 2023 19:53 April is National Minority Health Month, and this episode we're sitting down with Dr. Melody McCloud to discuss the health threats faced by minority women—Black women in particular—as well as the vital role of equity in public health. Dr. McCloud is an obstetrician-gynecologist who became the first black woman to establish an OB-GYN practice in DeKalb County, Georgia. Dr. McCloud is also the found

38. A Respiratory Triple Threat Mar 3, 2023 27:12 You've probably heard a lot recently about the so-called "tridemic" or "tripledemic." This concurrent impact of COVID-19, influenza and RSV introduced major challenges to our public health system...but taught major lessons, too. David Snyder, director of content for the CDC Foundation, is your guest host for today's episode. He's joined by Dr. Laura Evans, a professor in the Division of Pulmonary

37. Nine Lessons for the Next Generation Feb 3, 2023 33:44 What lessons can we learn from public health victories like the eradication of smallpox? How can we expand those lessons to the fight against non-infectious diseases, too? And how can each of us become a better ancestor to the generations to come? This episode is hosted by Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, in conversation with Dr. Bill Foege and Dr. Mark Rosenberg. Dr. Foeg

36. Creatively Combating Antimicrobial Resistance Jan 6, 2023 26:44 How can creative messaging and the arts help people better understand issues around antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance? Our guests discuss the power of art to promote public health and protective behaviors, as well as the power of patient advocacy in raising awareness about these issues. This episode is hosted by Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, in conversation with

35. A Prescription of Nutrition Dec 2, 2022 23:56 Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, is your special host for today's episode, as we discuss nutrition, medicine and public health with Dr. Thea James and Dr. Elizabeth Petelin... starting with a mystery clinical case that at first seems straight out of the 18th century. Dr. James is an associate professor at the Boston Medical Center, vice president of mission, associate chi

34. Young Leaders Take Action on Climate and Health Nov 4, 2022 22:47 In our latest episode, we discuss the gaps that exist in today's healthcare systems around climate change and health, and what young people in particular are doing to bridge those gaps. Our guests today are Hazel Rogers and Ben Rabin. Hazel is the assistant director of patient experience and cultural transformation at Mt. Sinai Morningside in New York, where she advocates for patients and employee

33. What to Know About Monkeypox Oct 7, 2022 20:10 This month, we're talking monkeypox: what is it, what CDC is doing to tackle the outbreak and what challenges face future disease responses. Our guest expert is Jennifer McQuiston, DVM, the deputy director of the Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology within the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. As a veterinarian,

Special Edition: International Podcast Day 2022 Sep 30, 2022 06:58 In honor of International Podcast Day, we're releasing a bonus episode that takes a look back at some of our most memorable Contagious Conversations episodes from 2022! Whether you're new to our podcast and curious what we're all about, or a long-time listener interested in a quick recap of the year, tune in for a retrospective on some of the fascinating discussions on public health we've been hav

32. Making Public Health Protection Our Business Sep 2, 2022 23:39 This episode we discuss the critical role businesses play in keeping their employees and communities safe during a public health crisis. Plus, learn about the Health Action Alliance, a partnership that has helped nearly 4,000 employers do just that. Our guest this month is Stephen Massey, co-founder of Meteorite, a social impact firm. Stephen is a social entrepreneur and communications expert who

31. Making Scents of COVID Aug 5, 2022 18:39 Learn about the COVID-19 Detection Dog program—a collaboration between the California Department of Public Health and Early Alert Canines—which is introducing a new, less invasive, and more fun method of testing to schools across the state. Dr. Carol Glaser of the CADoH and Carol Edwards of EAC tell the story. Carol Edwards began her career in dog obedience training at the age of 13 and since the

30. Doers and Thinkers: Three Experts Weigh In Jul 1, 2022 27:40 For our milestone 30th episode, we're bringing you 3 discussions in one! Host Claire Stinson introduces a collection of speakers from this year's Aspen Ideas Health Festival, an annual event that brings together innovative thinkers and doers to address the world's biggest health challenges. Listen as the CDC Foundation's own Dr. Judy Monroe and Pierce Nelson talk climate change with Dr. Patrick Br

29. Homelessness and Health: Locally, Regionally, Nationally Jun 3, 2022 15:57 In this episode, we'll discuss the link between people experiencing homelessness and public health and what CDC is doing to address this issue. CDC's Dr. Emily Mosites details the unique health challenges for those living with homelessness and discusses state and local solutions to this national issue. For full episode transcription, visit Contagious Conversations Key Takeaways: [1:32] Dr. Mosites

28. Turning Urgency to Action May 6, 2022 20:42 How does climate change affect health? What are some successful approaches from public health's past that we can use to tackle this challenge today? And most importantly: how can we all work together to combat this growing crisis? In this episode of Contagious Conversations, Dr. Judy Monroe, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation, discusses these questions and more. For full episode transcripti

27. Relationships Matter Apr 1, 2022 28:05 "We can't do the work alone. That is why it is important to have partnerships in our communities." Hear Dr. Mysheika Roberts discuss this idea and more, as she takes listeners through her own journey in community-centered public health. Plus: how critical relationships helped build trust and shape responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Roberts is the Health Commissioner for the

26. Policies and Laws for the Health of All Mar 4, 2022 34:11 What exactly is public health law? Drawing from disciplines like epidemiology, public policy and evaluation, it's a field that we may not often think about in our day-to-day lives. But it has a profound impact on our lifetime trajectory. Sarah de Guia—chief executive officer of ChangeLab Solutions, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses the tools of law and policy to advance health equity

Special Edition: Building Back Public Health Feb 9, 2022 21:11 This is a special edition Contagious Conversations podcast in conjunction with Public Health On Call, a podcast from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This special edition features a discussion between CDC Foundation President and CEO Judy Monroe, MD, and Joshua Sharfstein, MD, vice dean for public health practice and community engagement at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Pu

25. You Can't Fix What You Can't Count Feb 4, 2022 36:47 In today's world, people are used to having immediate access to data directly from the phones in their pockets. But how do public health agencies ensure that their massive and complex sets of data are managed at both scale and speed? Dr. Daniel Jernigan, who has led CDC's responses to dozens of disease outbreaks and flu pandemics in the United States and around the world, sits down with Claire Sti

24. The Modernization of the Public Health System Jan 7, 2022 33:23 In this episode of Contagious Conversations, Dr. Anand Parekh breaks down the critical population health and policy issues facing the United States now—plus what's needed in a public health workforce of the future. Dr. Parekh is the chief medical advisor for the Bipartisan Policy Center. Prior to joining the BPC, he served for ten years at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, playing

23. The Science of a Rumor Dec 3, 2021 34:03 In this episode of Contagious Conversations, Dr. Heidi Larson discusses the spread of vaccine rumors, how these rumors impact confidence in science, and how we can help put a stop to them. Dr. Larson is the professor of anthropology, risk and decision science and the founding director of the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She is also the author of a

22. Helping Our Kids Through COVID Nov 5, 2021 35:49 In this episode of Contagious Conversations, Anna King and Elizabeth Rorick of the National PTA discuss the impact of COVID-19 on schools, children and parents—especially when it comes to mental health—and their advice for nurturing healthy minds. Anna King has over 20 years of leadership experience at all levels of PTA and is a dedicated and passionate child advocate. Elizabeth Rorick has been wi

21. Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy Oct 1, 2021 31:05 Dr. Judy Monroe hosts Dr. Atul Nakhasi and Dr. Elizabeth Homan Sandoval, frontline doctors working on the COVID-19 response, in a discussion about how vaccine hesitancy continues to be a challenge in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and the power of spreading culturally competent information using trusted voices in our communities. Dr. Nakhasi serves as an advisor to the office of government affairs

20. A Pivotal Time for Public Health Apr 5, 2021 24:39 In this special episode of Contagious Conversations, new CDC director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky joins CDC Foundation President and CEO Dr. Judy Monroe to discuss CDC's latest work to combat COVID-19, how public health professionals can help prepare communities for a new normal, and her vision for the future of the agency that works 24/7 to protect America's health, safety and security. Dr. Walensk

19. A Fighter for Patient Safety Jan 14, 2021 31:03 When Dr. Evelyn McKnight was battling breast cancer in 2002, the last thing on her mind was hepatitis C. So when she and her husband Thomas learned she had contracted the virus from unsafe injection practices during her treatment, they were shocked. Now she's sharing the story of how she turned this tragic event into an ongoing campaign for patient safety. Dr. Evelyn McKnight, an audiologist and m

18. Thriving and Resilient Communities Jan 14, 2021 37:18 After a career in pediatrics and both public and private health leadership, Dr. Lauren Smith is now stepping into the new position of chief health equity and strategy officer at the CDC Foundation. In this episode, she discusses the perspectives on health equity, systemic racism and community resiliency that she's bringing to the role. Dr. Lauren Smith is the chief health equity and strategy offic

17. A Nobel Prize-Winning Career Jan 14, 2021 35:23 Meet the man whose discovery has made it possible to save millions of lives. In this episode, Dr. Harvey Alter shares the story of his 50-plus year career and how his research led to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. Dr. Harvey J. Alter is a Senior Scholar at the National Institute for Health and was just named the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work in discovering the hepa

Season 6 Trailer: Contagious Conversations Jan 11, 2021 01:05 In Season 6 of Contagious Conversations, you'll hear what it was like to discover Hepatitis C from recent Nobel Prize winner Dr. Harvey Alter, learn about the latest strategies for tackling health equity and systemic racism during the COVID-19 pandemic from Dr. Lauren Smith, and find out how advocates like Dr. Evelyn McKnight are working to save lives by preventing unsafe injection practices.

16: Raising Your Voice Jul 22, 2020 41:22 Chief Lynn Malerba has served as a registered nurse, as director of Cardiology and Pulmonary Services at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, as chairwoman of the Tribal Council and now as the first female Chief of the Mohegan Tribe. And she's now drawing on this full history as the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps disproportionately through the Native American population. For more information and full episode t

15: A Crash Course in Contact Tracing Jul 22, 2020 28:07 How much do you really know about contact tracing? And would you have what it takes to be a successful contact tracer? Dr. Joshua Sharfstein of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health takes listeners through the essential ins and outs of contact tracing during a public health crisis like COVID-19. For more information and full episode transcription go to Contagious Conversations (www.cdcfoundatio

14: This Is an All-Hands-on-Deck Moment Jul 22, 2020 40:38 Daniel E. Dawes is the director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, an institute laser-focused on advancement of health equity. Now Dawes sits down to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities of color and marginalized populations, and the importance of understanding political determinants of health in the context of American history. Fo

Season 5 Trailer: Contagious Conversations Jul 15, 2020 01:27 In the fifth season of Contagious Conversations, each of our episodes takes a deep look at the COVID-19 pandemic from a different perspective. Our guest experts discuss health equity and COVID-19's disproportionate impact on people of color, the challenges and opportunities facing tribal nations in the time of coronavirus, what's really involved in contact tracing, and more.

13. Redefining the Unacceptable Feb 19, 2020 27:46 Dr. Jim Curran has served as dean and professor of epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University since 1995, following 25 years of leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Curran is co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research and he holds faculty appointments in the Emory School of Medicine and the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. In

12. Public Health's a Team Activity Feb 19, 2020 32:29 Dr. Georges Benjamin is the executive director of the American Public Health Association, the nation's oldest and largest organization of public health professionals. Dr. Benjamin also previously served as a secretary at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. For the last 20 years he has been actively practicing public health at the local, state and national level with expertise in

11: Humanitarian Aid Beyond Borders Feb 19, 2020 30:38 Dr. Rasha Khoury is a physician in the Bronx, New York, with a focus on global maternal health. Dr. Khoury has completed six Doctors Without Borders surgical missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. She also serves on the organization's U.S. board of directors. In this episode, Dr. Khoury shares her experiences with Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian organizatio

Season 4 Trailer: Contagious Conversations Feb 12, 2020 01:15 Contagious Conversations features compelling interviews with people who are making the world safer and healthier for us all. In season 4, our guest experts share their perspectives on some of the world's toughest health challenges, including global maternal health, the evolution of public health in America, and what it takes to be part of the next generation of the public health workforce.

10: The Answer Is on the Playground Sep 11, 2019 35:57 For our tenth episode, we sit down with the CDC Foundation's own president and CEO, Dr. Judy Monroe. Dr. Monroe has also previously been deputy director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Indiana State Health Commissioner, and president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. In this episode, Dr. Monroe shares shares stories from her recent trip to West Africa:

09: Celebrating the Invisible Sep 11, 2019 35:11 Dr Michael McGinnis is an epidemiologist, health policy expert and Leonard D. Schaeffer Executive Officer at the National Academy of Medicine. Dr. McGinnis is well regarded both for his program and policy leadership and his research and publications on population health and life expectancy. Dr. McGinnis was also the recipient of the 2018 Fries Prize for improving health. In this episode, Dr. McGin

08: An Advocate for Flint Sep 11, 2019 34:49 Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician and a public health advocate whose research helped expose the Flint water crisis. Dr. Mona is founder and director of the Michigan State University and the Hurley Children's Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, an innovative and model public health program in Flint, Michigan. In this episode, Dr. Mona shares how she became an advocate for the people

07: On the Frontlines of Public Service Sep 11, 2019 38:36 Dr. Robert Redfield is the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Prior to becoming CDC's Director, Dr. Redfield had a long and distinguished career in public health, including researching and contributing to the early scientific understanding of HIV, serving as the chief of infectious diseases and

Season 3 Trailer: Contagious Conversations Sep 9, 2019 01:07 Contagious Conversations features compelling interviews with people who are making the world safer and healthier for us all. The third season features experts who are sharing their perspectives on some of the world's toughest health challenges, including advocating for safe water for the children of Flint, tackling the Ebola crisis, ending the AIDS epidemic and developing policy that creates healt

06: Ending Polio for Good May 29, 2019 17:28 Carol Pandak is the director of PolioPlus, Rotary International's global effort to eradicate polio. Pandak has served in this role since 2000, where she leads day-to-day operations and oversees the program's administration, advocacy efforts, grants, finances and volunteer engagement. In this role she also works closely with global program partners such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the

05: The State of Health May 29, 2019 24:52 Dr. Rebekah Gee is the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health. Dr. Gee is an OB-GYN and brings a caregiver's perspective to the people she serves. She is also a trained policy expert who has served in numerous state and national policy roles, and in 2017, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Prior to her role as secretary, Dr. Gee served as the director for the Birth Outco

04: How to (Truly) Change the World May 29, 2019 30:37 Dr. Richard Besser is the president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, former acting director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and former chief health and medical editor at ABC News. At the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Dr. Besser leads the largest private Foundation in the country devoted solely to improving the nation's health. The Foundation's work is focu

Season 2 Trailer: Contagious Conversations May 23, 2019 01:04 Contagious Conversations features compelling interviews with people who are making the world safer and healthier for us all. In season two, we'll discuss strategies for building a more equitable culture of health with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation CEO Dr. Richard Besser, the unique challenges of statewide healthcare with Louisiana's secretary of health Dr. Rebekah Gee, and the road to global poli

03: All Lives Have Equal Value Mar 12, 2019 35:10 Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann is a physician, scientist and philanthropist who has devoted her career to improving the human condition. Trained as an oncologist, she spent 14 years at biotech firm Genentech, where she led the development of Avastin and Herceptin, two of the first gene-targeted therapies for cancer. Today, as CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Desmond-Hellmann leads the org

02: Infrastructure, Inclusivity and the ADA Mar 12, 2019 29:30 Lex Frieden, MA, LLD, is a professor of biomedical informatics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and also directs the Independent Living Research Utilization program at TIRR Memorial Hermann. Best known for his contributions to the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Frieden suffered a spinal cord injury while in college and has used a wheelchair for

01: Outbreaks and Superbugs Mar 12, 2019 33:13 Maryn McKenna is an independent journalist and author who specializes in public health, global health and food policy. She is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of Human Health at Emory University, and the author of the 2017 bestseller BIG CHICKEN: The Incredible Story of How Antibiotics Created Modern Agriculture and Changed the Way the World Eats, as well as the award-winning books Sup

Welcome to Contagious Conversations Feb 27, 2019 01:21 Curious about the people who are making the world healthier and safer for us all, and what set them on that path? Get inspired as the CDC Foundation interviews experts who share their unique perspectives on today's toughest health challenges, such as antibiotic resistance, global disease outbreaks, health equality and more.

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